Shares of Japanese publishing companies decline due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs

Global financial markets are responding to the recent tariff announcements by US President Donald Trump, with Japanese game publishers experiencing declines in their stock values.

Japan's Nikkei 225 witnessed a 7% drop at today's market opening, following last week's 9% decrease, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The trends are reflected in the stocks of game publishers. Nintendo's shares fell by 7.85%, Capcom by 6.61%, Square Enix by 5.62%, Bandai Namco by 7.37%, Konami by 5.19%, and Sony experienced a 10.04% decline.

These changes were observed by Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games.

In the United States, companies like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive, listed on NASDAQ, have also seen their stock prices drop by single-digit percentages since the start of April.

On the London Stock Exchange, stocks of Everplay Group and Frontier Developments were similarly impacted.

According to Reuters, the FTSE 100's current level marks a 14-month low triggered by the tariff situation.

In the US, last week marked Wall Street's most challenging period since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, with ongoing volatility affecting stocks as reported by The Independent.

The 10% base tariffs on US imports, initiated on April 5, will be followed by additional tariffs targeting specific countries beginning April 9.

The tariffs have led to the postponement of US pre-orders for the Switch 2, as it is produced in countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, which are affected by these higher tariffs.